Touchkin

Touchkin is a mobile-first integrated care platform that spans communication, smart devices and care services. Our primary use case is for someone to take care of their parents or other family members while being remote.

We think this is an opportunity to create a sticky platform that helps adult children manage care for their parents, one that is used extensively in this parent-child relationship to become the primary conduit or ‘last mile’ for family to buy devices, services & manage care.

How is it used?

Our flagship device, the Touchstone, can be worn on the wrist, neck, as a brooch or belt clip. We are also designing a smart medicine box that can track medicine adherence, track reminders, and enable ordering & refills.

What technologies does it incorporate?

Sensors and firmware to capture and transmit data. Mobile phone or a proprietary smart hub (that creates a 1km radio mesh around a home that can transmit emergency alerts). Mobile (3G, GPRS) network to transmit data. Standard web software and APIs to manage data and transactions.

How does it work?

Touchkin is a mobile app to help you take care of your parents. It reminds you when Mom has low social contact. You can check in and send her a touch in less than a minute. It helps you see if Mom’s taking her meds, and is normally active. You can set up an emergency plan, and request services from local care providers. Mom has a ‘Kinbook’ full of daily family videos on her phone. Her Touchstone is an uber-cool accessory that connects Mom to her kids and grandkids, while keeping her safe.

Who uses it?

1. Parents, those being cared.
2. Family, especially those who have care-giving responsibilities or are remote.
3. Caregivers: emergency care, hospitals, doctors, home care and other professionals
4. Other service providers: senior specific services like nutrition, transport or others

Why does it help?

Users/Family: Touchkin is a mobile app to help you take care of your parents and loved ones. It lets you monitor remotely how they are, communicate and care in context, without being intrusive.

The app helps you see if Mom is taking her meds and normally active. It alerts you if she hasn’t followed her normal patterns: say, not left home this week, or hasn’t moved in twelve hours. It can trigger a request for services like a doctor’s home visit or medicine refill.

You will know if Mom hasn’t heard from her ‘kin circle’ in 24 hours. The app will ask you to send her a small 10 second touch (like Vine for families), so she always feels connected. It works with Touchstone, our panic button/communication jewellery, and helps you set an emergency plan.

Parents: Mom knows she’s not been forgotten, because she has a ‘Kinbook’ full of daily family videos on her phone. Her Touchstone is an uber-cool accessory that vibrates and glows when someone sends a touch, and lets her send a ‘Hi’ to her family with just a gesture. Mom feels Touchkin is a part of her life; as it makes her feel loved, not old. The app also works with her smart pillbox and glucometer, reminding her when she forgets her medicine, and making sure care is at hand when she needs it.